#1
Posted: 2/6/11 at 10:15pm
Just got back from the tour of 9 to 5 in Dayton, OH. I must say I was trepidatious, knowing that a LOT of changes had been made from the Broadway version of the show (which I ADORED!!!) Almost ALL of the changes worked to make this a much better and tighter show and I couldn't have been more thrilled!
The Dolly Parton narration (which has been described at length elsewhere) was cute, and while not highly necessary, I can see why they would include it for the American tour market masses. And it didn't really bother me so it was all right.
Jeff Calhoun's choreography was leaps and bounds better than the original Broadway. He used the dance to help tell the story, which I never felt Blankenbeuhler (sp?) did. His use of the desk top office equipment in a couple of the numbers was fun! The sets worked well and served the show perfectly, the only exception being the giant copy machine which looked a little phony and cheap (especially in Judy's fantasy sequence). The costumes were pretty much the same as Broadway with only a few alterations here and there.
I was glad to see Hart's second act number cut as I never liked the number (although I personally still miss "Mundania" from LA). I liked the new staging of the three fantasy sequences but missed the fairy tale costume on Violet. (And perv that I am I missed the erection joke in the opening number.) Altogether the show had a more streamlined flow to it.
Dee Hoty was perfection as Violet. She didn't hit a single wrong note (musically or otherwise). Mamie Parris was very good as Judy (although just like Stephanie Block looked way too young to be described by Hart as someone with "a little tread off her tires.") Her "Get Out" was sublimely sung, I just could have used a wee bit more emotional build (and for Hart to not have been hanging on stage through 2/3 of the song.) Diana DeGarmo was not right for Doralee at all. She looked FAR too young compared to eveyone else (making Hart into an almost pedophilic villain!) and her squeaky voice and uneven accent were distracting. Her singing was (of course) top notch.
Joseph Mahowald was insanely great as Hart balaning smarmy and self satisfied perfectly. Kristine Zbornik was servicable as Roz (but I definately missed Kathy Fitzgerald!!!!). The ensemble was EXCELLENT with one amazing stand out being Jane Blass as the office drunk, Margaret!!!
All in all I had an amazing time and wished I'd had the money and time to return to the evening performance and do it all again.
The Dolly Parton narration (which has been described at length elsewhere) was cute, and while not highly necessary, I can see why they would include it for the American tour market masses. And it didn't really bother me so it was all right.
Jeff Calhoun's choreography was leaps and bounds better than the original Broadway. He used the dance to help tell the story, which I never felt Blankenbeuhler (sp?) did. His use of the desk top office equipment in a couple of the numbers was fun! The sets worked well and served the show perfectly, the only exception being the giant copy machine which looked a little phony and cheap (especially in Judy's fantasy sequence). The costumes were pretty much the same as Broadway with only a few alterations here and there.
I was glad to see Hart's second act number cut as I never liked the number (although I personally still miss "Mundania" from LA). I liked the new staging of the three fantasy sequences but missed the fairy tale costume on Violet. (And perv that I am I missed the erection joke in the opening number.) Altogether the show had a more streamlined flow to it.
Dee Hoty was perfection as Violet. She didn't hit a single wrong note (musically or otherwise). Mamie Parris was very good as Judy (although just like Stephanie Block looked way too young to be described by Hart as someone with "a little tread off her tires.") Her "Get Out" was sublimely sung, I just could have used a wee bit more emotional build (and for Hart to not have been hanging on stage through 2/3 of the song.) Diana DeGarmo was not right for Doralee at all. She looked FAR too young compared to eveyone else (making Hart into an almost pedophilic villain!) and her squeaky voice and uneven accent were distracting. Her singing was (of course) top notch.
Joseph Mahowald was insanely great as Hart balaning smarmy and self satisfied perfectly. Kristine Zbornik was servicable as Roz (but I definately missed Kathy Fitzgerald!!!!). The ensemble was EXCELLENT with one amazing stand out being Jane Blass as the office drunk, Margaret!!!
All in all I had an amazing time and wished I'd had the money and time to return to the evening performance and do it all again.
<-- Tevye, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, March 2018
